Watford’s Odion Ighalo is a huge doubt to play for Nigeria’s U23 National Team at this summer’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Speculation is rife in the local media that the Hornets number 24 will be one of the three experienced players in Samson Siasia’s squad list but it has come to light that he might not be released by the Premier League club.

“Odion Ighalo was not interested in playing at the Olympic Games at first, but had a rethink after Siasia traveled to London to visit him and Mikel last month, ” a source close to Ighalo told allnigeriasoccer.com.

“At this stage, Watford have not given him permission to play for Nigeria in Brazil. ”

Odion Ighalo is in Lagos, the commercial capital of Nigeria, at the moment but must return to his home in London in the coming days before the start of pre-season training at Watford

Ifeanyi Emmanuel